Voice multi-function remote control

ABSTRACT

A remote control apparatus, besides the controlling system for controlling electronics devices such as a television, further includes a timing and alarm system, a display screen, and a recording system with which important data such as important TV programs or favorite channels can be recorded, and each record can be attached with an alarm time. Furthermore, when an alarm time is reached, not only can an alarm be sounded, or an audible announcement be heard, the apparatus can further transmit a control signal to switch the controlled device to the preset important or favorite channel. In addition, a microphone for detecting a response feed back signal from the controlled device, and a processor for processing by the remote control apparatus for responding to the feed back signal are also provided. The display screen can not only display important control data and information, it can also guide and prompt the user to use its important features, and an make important operation, such as a just one key press to access a favorite channel. A speech synthesizer, or voice recording and playing chip can also be used for an operation prompt and important program announcement, when a preset time is reached. In addition, a child-lock feature can also be implemented when the preset time is reached. A method for quick intelligent catching/recording of broadcasting program schedule promo is also included.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a lot of remote control apparatus, low end and high endmodels, in the present market. However, many high end models arecomplicated to set up and operate. Users find them hard to set up andtheir operation complicated, even after tedious reading of operationmenu.

Furthermore, users welcome apparatus which can help them to convenientlyenjoy a favorite program on schedule.

The present invention is going to develop a high end remote controlapparatus with said user satisfaction features and yet convenient touse, and easy to set up and operate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A sophisticated display on the face plate of the apparatus is provided.After battery is installed and upon power up, the display will promptthe user how to set up step by step, e.g., the first step is to promptthe user to select the first device to set up.

After completion of the set up, the display screen will further promptthe user to set an alarm time when the time of the program is reached,and further prompt the user to program favorite channel with one keypress to select or access the said channel, or further automaticallytransmit a command switching to the desired channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings illustrate examples of various components of theVOICE MULTI-FUNCTION REMOTE CONTROL disclosed herein, and are forillustrative purposes only. Other embodiments that are substantiallysimilar can use other components that have a different appearance.

FIG. 1 illustrates a general organization of one embodiment of theinvention.

FIGS. 2-15C illustrate various prompting screens displayed to the userto initially program the remote control.

FIG. 16 illustrates a time line for implementation of the options of theremote control.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The general organization of one embodiment of the invention isillustrated in the block diagram of FIG. 1, wherein comprising:

Block 100, a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or microprocessor forprocessing various control function commands with other blocks for thesaid apparatus.

Block 101, a Read Only Memory (ROM) for pre-programming variousoperation instruction of the said apparatus, and for pre-programming alibrary of operation commands or codes of various devices of variouscategories (TV, DVD, VCR, etc.) and brands.

Block 102, a Random Access Memory (RAM)/Data memory for storing data orfavorite or important channels, alarm time and may further be forstoring data for activating time of voice announcement.

Block 200 & 201, keyboard for keying in various operation commands.

Block 300, a display for displaying operation command, operation resultand operation guide.

Block 400, infrared or Radio Frequency (RF) transmitter for transmittingcontrol command signal to the controlled device, according to thecommand or instruction instructed by the CPU (Block 100)

Block 500, infrared or Radio Frequency (RF) receiver for receivinglearning signal from a learning or other remote control apparatus.

Block 600, Speech synthesizer or Voice recorder and player for making anannouncement, or for making recording regarding important program, ormaking audible guiding of an important operation which is controlled bythe CPU.

Block 700, amplifier for increasing the output volume level for thespeech synthesizer or voice recorder and player.

Block 800, microphone for detecting the sound from the controlleddevice.

Upon power up of the above said system of FIG. 1, or when the SET UP keyon the keyboard of Block 200 of FIG. 1 is pressed, the CPU of Block 100is programmed to instruct the display to show a screen to prompt theuser to make the set up as shown by FIG. 2.

As shown, there are various categories of devices (TV, VCR, DVD, etc.)listed in rows on the left and right side of the display screen. Andnearby the name of each device displayed on both sides of each row,there is a corresponding soft key. When the soft key is pressed, thedevice with the name shown next to the soft key will be selected. Thisis prompted by the prompt “PLEASE SELECT” displayed on the second row ofthe display screen. For example, if the corresponding soft key nearbythe displayed text “TV” is pressed, then the device of category TV willbe selected, and the CPU of block 100 is programmed to cause a secondprompt screen to be displayed, as shown in FIG. 3.

Following the prompt of the screen of FIG. 3, the user may select abrand of the device that the user intends to control, by pressing a keyon the keyboard 200 which corresponds to the initial character of thename of the brand. A list of the name of the brands with the desiredinitial character will then be displayed on the screen. For example, thebrand “GE” has the initial character “G” in its name. To select thisbrand, the user may press the key [4 GHI], which correspond to theinitial character “G”, on the keyboard 200. The CPU of block 100 willinstruct the display 300 to show the next prompting screen, as shown inFIG. 4.

The user may press the soft key nearby the text “GE” displayed in therow to select the brand “GE”. The display 300 will then show a furtherprompt screen, as shown in FIG. 5. A list of different models of TVproduced by the brand “GE” will be displayed.

In this screen, the user can test the model of the TV. Following theprompt “PRESS ON/OFF” shown on the first row of the display screen inFIG. 5, the user can press one of the “ON/OFF” soft keys on the same rowas the displayed model name. If the “ON/OFF” soft key is valid, the TVbeing controlled will be powered-on or powered-off when the soft key ispressed. This means the TV being controlled is of the same model, orequivalent to, the model displayed on the same row as the pressed“ON/OFF” soft key. In this case, the user may select the TV model bypressing the soft key next to the model name displayed on the same rowas the pressed “ON/OFF” soft key. For example, in FIG. 5, if pressingthe “ON/OFF” soft key on the same row as the displayed text “Model 3”can cause the controlled TV to be powered-on or powered-off, the usercan then press the soft key next to the displayed text “Model 3” toselect this model. A further prompt screen will be displayed, as shownin FIG. 6.

In this screen, the user can try the soft keys displayed on the screen,to see if these soft keys can be used to control the various functionsof the TV as advertised. Following the screen prompt “TRY FUNCTON” inFIG. 6, the user may press the “CH+”, “CH−”, “VOL+”, “VOL−” soft keys,etc. If after pressing these soft keys, the channel and volume of the TVhas indeed been changed respectively, then the control command of theselected model, in this case “Model 3”, is the correct one for the TVbeing controlled. The user may then press the “OK” soft key to confirmthat the selection of the TV model has been successfully completed.After the “OK” soft key is pressed, a confirmation screen will bedisplayed, as shown in FIG. 7.

After 3 seconds, a further prompt screen will be displayed, as shown inFIG. 8.

The screen shown in FIG. 8 ask the user if he or she want to set up ajust one key access to a favorite channel: “1. CH_*”. If the “YES” softkey is pressed, the display screen is changed to another prompt screen,as shown in FIG. 9.

In FIG. 9, “*” is a flashing cursor, which represents the location forthe user to enter a digit. There are more than a hundred (3 digits)channels available through the satellite and cable TV system providers.So, following the screen prompt “KEY IN DIGIT”, a user can program toselect a favorite channel, represented by a channel number of up to 3digits, which can be accessed with only one key press. For example, ifthe favorite channel is channel 126, then when the screen as shown inFIG. 9 is displayed, the keyboard 200 can be used to key in the digits1, 2, and 6. After the last digit is entered, the OK (=DONE) key on thekeyboard 200 should be pressed, then the set up for one key access forswitching to channel 126 is completed. A further prompt screen of FIG.10 will be displayed.

The screen shown in FIG. 10 hints the user to set an alarm time, hourand minute. The user can input the hour and minute using the keyboard200, and then press the OK (=DONE) key. For example, the user may key in12:30P. Then a further prompt screen appears, as shown in FIG. 11.

In FIG. 11, the prompt “▴ ▾=ALARM ON/OFF” hints to the user that thealarm can be enabled or disabled by pressing the up arrow key and downarrow key respectively on the keyboard 200. The

symbol represents that the alarm has been enabled. There are furtherhints available. Another two favorite channel, No. 2 and No. 3, can beset up. No. 2 can also be attached with an alarm time, but favoritechannel No. 3 can only be used for one key access.

When an alarm time is reached, and if the alarm is enabled, that is, the“ ” symbol is displayed, an alarm sound will be generated, and amplifiedby amplifier 700. The present remote control apparatus will also try tosend a command to the TV, to power on the TV and switch the channel tothe favorite channel. However, if a short period of time before thealarm is sounded, a certain level of sound volume is picked up anddetected by the microphone 800 and accumulated by the CPU 100, thatmeans that the TV is already powered-on. So, when the alarm time isreached, only a command of switching to the favorite channel, in thisexample channel 126, will be transmitted from the remote controlapparatus to the TV. On the other hand, if a certain level of soundvolume is not detected and accumulated a short period of time before thealarm time is reached, before transmitting to the TV the channelswitching command, the power on/off command will first be transmitted tothe TV, to power-on the television set.

Referring again to the screen shown in FIG. 11, the left side of thescreen shows 3 FAV CH (favorite channel), where each of these channelscan be selected or accessed by one press of each of the soft keys on theleft side respectively. And, on the right side of the screen, there are4 basic and important prompt and soft keys: CH+, CH−, VOL+, VOL−. Theseare the frequently used keys, which are almost the only keys found onthe front face panel of most TV sets. This arrangement of displayingseveral favorite channels on the screen, and soft keys for selectingeach favorite channel with only one key press, and in the same screendisplaying several frequently used function prompts and theircorresponding soft keys, will bring highly increased level ofconvenience of operation to the user.

FIG. 12 shows a further development of a screen displayed by the presentremote control apparatus, for expanding the number of favorite channelsshown in one screen. As shown, only the prompt of favorite channel andits description, or option of alarm time are being displayed. There isno other function key prompt on the screen. Furthermore, not only aplurality of commands of a single device can be programmed for access byone key press, command of a plurality of devices can also be programmedfor sequence access by one key press. For example, the prompt on secondlast row in FIG. 12 is “CH23 DVD PW CBL PW”. This means, with one keypress of the corresponding soft key on this row, commands will betransmitted to switch the TV to channel 23, and the power of the DVD andCBL will also be switched on.

FIG. 13 shows another further development of a screen displayed by thepresent remote control apparatus, where one key press access of favoritechannels, alarm and auto switching time can be displayed. As shown onthe screen, name and brief description of the program broadcasted to theTV on the selected time can also be inputted using the keyboard 200. Ifthe user press the “MORE DETAIL” soft key, a further screen as shown inFIG. 14 is displayed, showing the channel number, date and time, andprogram name for the favorite channel and associated alarm time.

The present invention further develops an auto scan set up method.Referring back to FIG. 3, there is a soft key called “AUTO” which islocated at the bottom right of the display. On the screen, there is alsoa prompt “PRESS AUTO TO PROCEED AUTO SCAN”. Following this prompt, ifthe user presses the “AUTO” soft key, the present remote controlapparatus will transmit the power on/off command of different televisionbrands and models to the TV in sequence. These power on/off commands arepre-programmed in the library of ROM 101. The screen as shown in FIGS.15A, B and C will be displayed.

As shown in FIG. 15A, an “ON/OFF” label is displayed on the right sideof the label “MODEL 1”. As mentioned above, at the same time, the poweron/off signal for TV model 1 will be transmitted to the TV. After 2seconds, the screen in FIG. 15B will be displayed. The “ON/OFF” labelhas been moved to the right side of the label “MODEL 2”. At the sametime, the power on/off signal for TV model 2 will be transmitted to theTV. After another 2 seconds, the screen in FIG. 15C will be displayed.The “ON/OFF” label is moved to the right side of the label “MODEL 3”,while the power on/off signal for TV model 3 will also be transmitted tothe TV. The present remote control apparatus will continue to move the“ON/OFF” label to the right side of label different TV model, and alsotransmit the power on/off signal for the said TV model, by going througha list of TV model names and their corresponding power on/off signalstored in the ROM 101.

After the power on/off signal was transmitted, the microphone 800 willtry to detect, whether there is a sound or not. If a sound can bedetected, this means that the TV has been successfully switched on bythe power on/off command transmitted by the present remote controlapparatus, and the sound of a TV program is played by the TV. Hence, ifa certain volume level of sound is detected and accumulated by CPU 100,the CPU will consider the last transmitted power on/off signal for thecurrent model as valid, and stop the transmission of the power on/offsignal for the subsequent models. An indication is then shown on thedisplay screen 300, or a sound or voice announcement can be generated toinform the user that a correct model for the TV has been selected. It ispossible to proceed to further automatically test the other commandsignal, such as mute, volume up and volume down. The command signal forthese operations for the selected TV model can be transmitted to the TV,which should cause a corresponding change in the sound volume levelplayed by the TV, which can in turn be detected by the microphone 800.

The time interval between the transmission of different power on/offsignals for different TV models can be varied. A longer time intervalwill increase the reliability of the testing result, but it will take alonger time to complete the testing for all the available TV models. Onthe contrary, a shorter time interval will decrease the reliability ofthe test results.

To increase the reliability of the test results, the present inventioncan further develop a repeat testing procedure. Once a power on/offsignal of a certain TV model is detected as valid, the transmission ofthe power on/off signal for the next TV models is stopped immediately.Instead, the power on/off signal of the selected TV model is repeatedlytransmitted for a certain number of times. If the power on/off signal isindeed correct for the receiving TV, transmitting the power on/offsignal for a second time should cause the TV to be switched off. Thesound played by the TV should then be stopped, so the microphone 800should be able to detect a significant decrease of sound volume level orsilence. If the power on/off signal is transmitted for a third time, theTV should be switched on again. Sound is thus played by the TV again, sothe microphone 800 should be able to detect a significant increase ofvolume level of sound. Hence, the validity of the test is made morereliable.

When switching on most kinds of sound generating devices, there islikely to be some delay before the sound is generated. On the otherhand, when the sound generating device is switched off, it is likelythat the sound will be stopped very quickly. So, by transmitting a poweroff command for the above testing, the time required for the testing canbe decreased. And, at the same time, using the repeat testing methoddescribed above, the decrease in reliability can be compensated.

As mentioned previously, voice recorder and player are provided in thisremote control apparatus of the present invention. It can also be usedfor recording and announcing of important TV program promo and voiceassisted operation instruction. The present invention further developsan intelligent method (named as Program Super Catcher) for catching andvoice recording of important program promo. Usually, in televisionbroadcast, the duration of broadcast of promo of TV program is veryshort and quick, usually about 30 seconds or less. When a user islistening to a TV program promo, it will take some time for the user toconsider it worthwhile to make a voice recording of the TV program promoor not. If the user then decides that the TV program promo is useful andpresses a key to start a voice recording, it may already too late. Thebeginning part of the TV program promo has already been elapsed, so onlythe remaining part can be recorded. This means essential informationfrom the TV program promo cannot be recorded. The method of the saidProgram Super Catcher of the present invention can solve such a problemas below. The recording system of the present apparatus is designed tobe pre-activated to start a voice recording any time, well before thestart of the broadcasting of TV program promo. After the pre-activation,the present apparatus will make voice recording all the time. However,obviously the size of the memory for storing the voice recording cannotbe unlimited. So, only a pre-determined length of voice, say 20 secondsof the latest recorded data, can be kept in the record data memory. Theoldest voice data are automatically discarded when new voice data arerecorded. So when a user listens to the TV program promo, and when theuser decides to make a recording by activating a subsequence startingmeans to start a voice recording, a pre-determined length of the latestvoice recording (in this example, 20 seconds) is already stored in thepresent invention's memory. Another pre-determined length of voice isfurther recorded after the activation of the starting means, forexample, 15 seconds. By combining the voice recording made before theuser activates the starting means, and those after the user activatesthe starting means, a voice recording of the entire TV program promo canbe obtained (in this example, the total length of the voice recording is20+15=35 seconds). Thus, important content of the TV program promo willnot be missing from the voice recording, even if there is a time delaybetween the start of the TV program promo and the action of the user toactivate the voice recording after the user considers it worthwhile torecord the TV program promo. At the same time, it is apparently, byusing this novel method, the memory capacity for the voice recordingsystem can thus be well organized and economized. The length of voicerecording after the user activates the second starting means can also becontrolled by the user by activating a stop means.

FIG. 16 helps to illustrate this aspect of the present invention. Atpoint 1601, the user pre-activates the system for pre-recording. Theapparatus then continue to record voice all the time. As the area ofmemory allocated for storing voice recording data become full, theoldest voice data are discarded to make room for storing the newer voicedata. When the user hears a TV program promo that the user want torecord, the user activates a subsequence starting means, as representedby point 1602. A pre-determined length of voice recording made beforethe activation of the subsequence starting means is then reserved andkept, as represented by 1603. The apparatus will continue to recordvoice for another pre-determined length of time after the activation ofthe subsequence starting means, as represented by 1604. The length ofthe complete voice recording obtained by combining the voice recordingsegments before and after the activation of the subsequence startingmeans is marked by the time interval 1605.

Apparently, in addition to a remote control apparatus, the abovementioned method of Program Super Catcher can also be used in anyrecorder. And the above mentioned method can be used not only in a audiorecorder, but can also be used in a video recorder.

Furthermore, for economic organizing of memory capacity, the said methodof Program Super Catcher can also be used in editing of voice recording.During a recording playback, when the voice playback reaches a certainpoint determined by the user, the user can activate a cut means. Theportion of the voice recording which has already been played before thecut means is activated will be kept by the system, and the portion ofvoice recording not yet played will be discarded by the system. In thisway, the length of the voice recording can be reduced, and thus thememory used by the voice recording can be decreased, freeing up morememory for making other voice recordings.

It is also noteworthy that some families would like to have a childlock-out feature for their home appliances, for example, a TV, duringcertain hours. The auto-transmission of remote control command during apre-defined time of the present invention can be extended to lock thehome appliance. For example, for a TV, the present invention can beprogrammed to transmit a channel switching command every regular timeinterval continuously to switch to a null or blank program channel. Thesaid auto-transmission of control command can also be a volume-downcommand, a mute command, or a combination of multiple commands, etc. Asa result, a child cannot access the TV channels during the per-definedtime inputted into the present invention.

Of course, in such a case, the remote control apparatus should only beput in a special place which is not easily accessible by the child.Furthermore, for a remote control using infrared command signal, theremote control must be constantly in a direction pointing toward thehome appliance in order for the command signal to be received. But ifthe remote control apparatus uses Radio Frequency which isnon-directional for sending a command signal, the command can bereceived regardless of the orientation of the remote control apparatus,then it is easier to accomplish this child-lock function.

1. A remote control apparatus comprising: an infrared or Radio Frequencyremote control system, for transmitting remote controlling instructionto control various electronics device or appliance; a display screen fordisplaying remote control instruction, user operation guide, alarm timeand control instruction activating time; a data memory for storingcontrolling and displaying data.
 2. A remote control apparatus of claim1, wherein further comprise a detecting means for detecting whether ornot, in respond to the said control instruction signal, a feed backsound or light signal is detected or received, and depending on theresult of detection, determine what following subsequent instructionhave to process.
 3. A remote control apparatus of claim 2, wherein thesaid subsequent instruction is to determine, whether or not to transmita power on/off instruction.
 4. A remote control apparatus of claim 3,where in prior to the said sound or light signal detection, a poweron/off instruction was transmitted, and in respond to the saidtransmitted instruction, if a valid sound or light signal is notdetected, the subsequent instruction is to transmit the next model'spower on/off instruction, from a list of power on/off instruction ofdifferent models. And if a valid feed back signal is detected, thesubsequent instruction is to test or emit the instruction of otherfunctions for this said model, or to generate a sound or speech, or todisplay a success message on the screen, to indicate the successfulselection of model. And then the testing process is stopped, and theapparatus wait for user's action.
 5. An apparatus of claim 4, whereinthe display format is a list of favorite channel and alarm time or text,or both alarm and text can be attached.
 6. An apparatus of claim 5,wherein the display format show only few favorite channels and saidattachment of alarm or text, but besides, some important prompts orlabels of function key are also shown on display, for convenient offunction operation.
 7. An apparatus of claim 5, wherein the displayformat further includes displaying the description of the program of thechannel, and the time of the program.
 8. An apparatus of claim 6,wherein besides to each description or record of each said favoritechannel on the display, there is a corresponding soft key, which can bejust pressed once to activate the channel switching function as promptedby the description.
 9. An apparatus of claim 8, wherein visual displaymeans or audible voice means, or both, are provided for operation guide,and audible means are further provided for important programs or otherimportant event recording and announcement, when a preset alarm time isreached, or when an activation means is activated by the user.
 10. Anapparatus of claim 1, wherein the audible voice recording system furthercomprising a pre-record system which can be pre-activated by apre-activating means to make voice recording all the time, a data memorywith a pre-determined size reserved for storing a pre-determined lengthof voice recording, automatically discarding oldest voice data when newvoice data is stored when the pre-determined size storage become full, asubsequent activating means for reserving for later processing thelatest voice recording made by the said pre-recorded system and storedin the said data memory when the said activating means is activated 11.An apparatus of claim 10, wherein after the activation of the saidsubsequence activation means, the system will continue the voicerecording for another pre-determined length of time, and combine thesaid recording with the voice recording made before the activation ofthe subsequence activation means reserved in the said data memory. 12.An apparatus of claim 1, which including a video recording systemfurther comprising a pre-record system which can be pre-activated by apre-activating means to make video recording all the time, a data memorywith a pre-determined size reserved for storing a pre-determined lengthof video recording, automatically discarding oldest video data when newvideo data is stored when the pre-determined size storage become full, asubsequent activating means for reserving for later processing thelatest video recording made by the said pre-recorded system and storedin the said data memory when the said activating means is activated 13.An apparatus of claim 12, wherein after the activation of the saidsubsequence activation means, the system will continue the videorecording for another pre-determined length of time, and combine thesaid recording with the video recording made before the activation ofthe subsequence activation means reserved in the said data memory. 14.An apparatus with a audible voice recording system comprising apre-record system which can be pre-activated by a pre-activating meansto make voice recording all the time, a data memory with apre-determined size reserved for storing a pre-determined length ofvoice recording, automatically discarding oldest voice data when newvoice data is stored when the pre-determined size storage become full, asubsequent activating means for reserving for later processing thelatest voice recording made by the said pre-recorded system and storedin the said data memory when the said activating means is activated 15.An apparatus of claim 14, wherein after the activation of the saidsubsequence activation means, the system will continue the voicerecording for another pre-determined length of time, and combine thesaid recording with the voice recording made before the activation ofthe subsequence activation means reserved in the said data memory. 16.An apparatus with a video recording system comprising a pre-recordsystem which can be pre-activated by a pre-activating means to makevideo recording all the time, a data memory with a pre-determined sizereserved for storing a pre-determined length of video recording,automatically discarding oldest video data when new video data is storedwhen the pre-determined size storage become full, a subsequentactivating means for reserving for later processing the latest videorecording made by the said pre-recorded system and stored in the saiddata memory when the said activating means is activated
 17. An apparatusof claim 16, wherein after the activation of the said subsequenceactivation means, the system will continue the video recording foranother pre-determined length of time, and combine the said recordingwith the video recording made before the activation of the subsequenceactivation means reserved in the said data memory.
 18. An apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising: a time inputting means for inputting a userselected time; a clock means for keeping the current date and time; atimer means for determining if the time inputted in the said timeinputting means has been reached; a block commands signal sending means,for sending command signals to a home appliance to block the use of thesaid home appliance, when the said timer means has determined that thetime inputted in the said time inputting means has been reached.
 19. Anapparatus of claim 18, wherein the said block command is a channelswitching command to switch the home appliance to a empty or blankchannel, and the said block command is repeatedly sent at a regular timeinterval.
 20. An apparatus of claim 18, wherein the said block commandsare a combination of one or multiple commands for switching channel,volume down, mute or other commands.